MIDI Equipment

Advantages: Big pads easy to hit with a excellent solid build ,bright lcd ,note velocities
Disadvantages: its a midi pad controller so you will need a pc or laptop

The akai mpd 24 is a great machine ,its a perfect subsitute for its older cousins the mpc series which are used by the likes of hip hop pioneering producer dr dre. This machine has no internal memory as a mpc but once hooked up to your pc or laptop it effectively becomes one with ease . The pads are from the mpc 2500 series and i recommend working it with FL studio or reason programs ,this midi pad controller gives you the ability to give your ...
...the drivers supplied on the akai cd! General specifications : Mpc series style drum pad controller Usb or midi connection 16 velocity & pressure sensitive pads 4 selectable pad banks for a total of 64 pads 6 assignable faders for transmitting midi control change data 8 assignable 360 degree knobs 5 dedicated transport controls (play stop rewind fast fwd & record) Detailed bright lcd display Usb output Midi output Included editor librarian ... Read review

Advantages: Very convenient and well-planned
Disadvantages: Company not well-established (support?)

Why bother buying a CME keyboard when there are plenty others, with more established names: Edirol, M-Audio, Korg, Novation - to name but a few? Well, there are a couple of reasons: 1) It is very compact and easily portable. Not an inch of space is wasted. It is probably the narrowest 49-key keyboard, as well as one of the slimmest. You can easily carry it with you, put it on your desk and even keep it on your lap! 2) Key action is quite good. ...
...it is better than the Edirols, Yamahas and quite a few other keyboards and MIDI-controllers I have tried. The action is quite firm, but not hard. I usually do not fancy so called "weighed" keyboards. I don't know why, but they do not have the same action as a real grand piano. Sure, there is some "hammer-like" effect in these expensive keyboards, but it certainly does not compare to a real piano's hammer mechanism. So this keyboard is something in-between ... Read review

Advantages: User friendly, portable, light
Disadvantages: Not long enough for some compositions/ limiting

I first used this product at college and i got on with it so I decided to buy one. Great piece of kit, durable, light, easy to transport and has a range of different switches, knobs, buttons and wheels to play with to get desired sounds and effects. All the buttons, switches etc. are all midi-mappable which is great for using with Logic/ Reason and the like. The only downside is that it is small, but for a small device it is fantastic! When I ... Read review

Advantages: Great control and options!
Disadvantages: Not many mostly down to software!

Ok so i got my pcr300 on my last trip to the states in a samash store for a steal at $200! I got it home and of course had to download vista drivers but not much of a problem! I got it hooked up via its usb cable and i was set! I hooked it up and it just took off! i didnt need to set or program it! Although the keyboard does have an editor in which you can edit and set all of the controls on the controller to do whatever you want. The keyboard itself ...
...controls, 18 velocity pads, Keyboard split and layering unique crossfader feature, as well as nine fully assignable faders! All connections are on the left side - USB, MIDI IN/OUT plus separate Hold and Expression pedal ports. The PCR keyboard works with USB bus power. so you dont need an ac adapter. It also comes bundled with cakewalk software the Cakewalk Production Plus Pack. which includes SONAR LE, Project 5 LE, and Dimension LE. Overall a ... Read review

Advantages: Light, Durable. Practible!
Disadvantages: Not many keys.

Absolute brilliant piece of hardware. If you're like me and produce music from home in your studio or just getting started out in producting music. Then this is for you! Do you use Ableton Live, Sonar 6, Reason, or Logic? This piece of hardware will connect so simply through USB. It will work even if your computer is not that good! The 8 knobs are very useful for live recordings and effects. The keyboard is touch sensitive. Very cheap price as well. ... Read review